UFC 316 delivered fireworks, and the highly anticipated bantamweight showdown between Sean “Suga” O’Malley and Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili did not disappoint. In a clash of styles, hype, and heart, fans were treated to a 5-round chess match that left the MMA world buzzing—and divided.

Let’s break down exactly what happened inside the Octagon, and what it means for the future of the bantamweight division.

 Round-by-Round Breakdown

Round 1 – The Mind Game Begins

O’Malley came out composed, flashing his trademark feints, distance control, and fast hands. Merab, as expected, wasted no time shooting takedowns—but the champ showed surprisingly strong takedown defense, stuffing several early attempts.

Still, Merab’s relentless pressure was obvious. He closed the distance, made it ugly, and kept “Suga” thinking more about defense than creativity.

Edge: Slightly O’Malley (due to cleaner striking)

Round 2 – The Machine Presses Forward

Merab ramped it up. His cardio machine kicked into full gear as he chained wrestling attempts together, mixing in dirty boxing against the cage. O’Malley landed some crisp counters, including a nasty step-in knee, but he was increasingly on the back foot.

Merab’s grinding pace started to drain the champ, and the tide began to shift.

Edge: Merab

Round 3 – Fight of Momentum

This round could be argued either way. O’Malley found success with his jab and a few sharp 1-2s, even wobbling Merab briefly. But every time the champ gained rhythm, Merab disrupted it with level changes and clinch control.

The big question: Do judges value damage or control more? This was the swing round.

Edge: Even (or slight edge to O’Malley for cleaner damage)

Round 4 – The Machine Breaks Through

Merab’s pace didn’t slow—if anything, it increased. He landed multiple takedowns, controlled large portions of the round on the ground, and landed solid ground-and-pound from half guard.

O’Malley looked visibly frustrated, and while he wasn’t in major danger, he wasn’t dictating the fight anymore.

Edge: Merab clearly

Round 5 – Championship Heart

The final round was a dogfight. O’Malley tried to rally, landing big punches early, but Merab’s relentless chain wrestling dragged him back into deep waters. He controlled the final 90 seconds on the mat, sealing what many believe was a tactical masterpiece.

Edge: Merab

 Final Stats

Takedowns: Merab 9/22

Significant Strikes: O’Malley 86 | Merab 72

Control Time: Merab – 6:38

Knockdowns: 0

 Decision: Merab Dvalishvili def. Sean O’Malley via Unanimous Decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)

The judges sided with control and dominance, and Merab finally got his moment—claiming the UFC bantamweight title after years of flying under the radar.

 What’s Next?

Merab Dvalishvili: The new king of chaos. Potential challengers include Cory Sandhagen, Umar Nurmagomedov, or even a rematch with Petr Yan.

Sean O’Malley: Still a star. A possible money fight against Chito Vera or Henry Cejudo could put him back in the title mix quickly.

 Final Thoughts

This was a classic striker vs grappler matchup, and it lived up to the hype. Merab proved that pressure, persistence, and patience can conquer even the flashiest offense. Meanwhile, O’Malley showed championship grit and skill—but just couldn’t keep “The Machine” off him.

UFC 316 may go down as the night the world finally recognized Merab Dvalishvili as not just a contender—but a champion.